Georgia baseball coach will miss second SEC series because of COVID

“Stricklin is in isolation at home,” UGA’s statement said. “The action is consistent with COVID-19 management requirements developed by the SEC’s Medical Guidance Task Force and the Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines.”

Stricklin has been separated from his squad since March 18. He said starting feeling poorly days before before last weekend’s series against Tennessee but did not test positive until the morning of March 19. The 12th-ranked Bulldogs (15-5, 1-2 SEC) went 2-2 in the week since, with Stricklin quarantined in the basement of his home. No. 10 Tennessee won two of three last weekend, then the Bulldogs got a walk-off win in 10 innings over Kennesaw State on Tuesday.

“I was in the basement watching and that was probably the worst thing for my health,” Stricklin said in a radio interview with an Athens radio station Thursday. “Watching it and having zero control is tough.”

Associate head coach Scott Daeley will remain in charge in Sticklin’s absence. SEC protocol prevents Stricklin from communicating with coaches and players during games, though he can until pregame batting practice and then again after the games are over. He also was able to meet with coaches and players regularly during the week and go over scouting reports and pitching and lineup plans and lineup. He said he has been watching the games on television via an Internet stream.

Georgia fell from No. 7 in the latest Collegiate Baseball rankings after the two-loss week. The Aggies (15-8, 0-3) have lost four consecutive after getting swept on the road against No. 2 Florida last weekend and losing 2-1 to Rice at home Tuesday.